Switch mechanism for signal lights and the like



L. ROSTOKER SWITCH MECHANISM FOR SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE LIKE Feb. 8, 1949.

Filed. Jan. 17, 1946 UT] ve'rn'or Lat/1's posialfer' Patented Feb. 8, 1949 I SWITCH MECHANISM FOR SIGNAL LIGHTS AND THE LIKE Louis Rostoker,.Toronto, Ontario, Canada, assignor to David Esser, Toronto, Ontario, Canada,

Application January 17, 1946,'Serial No. 641,703

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to switch mechanism for signal lights and the like, more particularly trafiic lights, and the object of the invention is to provide simple means to vary the relative period of illumination of two or more such lights.

Complicated mechanismhas been designed for this purpose. Such mechanism is very expensive and in many cases makes the cost of traffic signal lights prohibitive for small municipalities or for use by larger municipalities except at the busier intersections.

Moreover most known mechanism of the kind requires frequent repair and servicing.

According tothe present invention mechanism can be provided'for carrying the periods of illumination: of the red, green, and'amber lights without using any moving parts. Such mechanism is extremely inexpensive and simple and requires practically no maintenance.

Furthermore this mechanism can readily be operated by any one without special skill or instruction to vary the periods-of illumination as desired.

I attain the object of my invention by means of a movable contact member which is adapted to pass over a. fixed contact member comprising a plurality of segments or plates connected by leads to switches operable to connect each plam to a selected light.

It will be understood that the invention is applicable to audible signals or alarms as Well as visible signals or lights which are referred to by way of example,

The invention is hereinafter more fully described and illustrated, by way of example, in the following specification and the attached drawings in which Fig. l is a plan view of a signal light;

Fig. 2 a cross section thereof; and

Fig. 3 a diagram of the switch mechanism.

In the drawings like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

The signal light comprises a casing I, having a reflector 2, and a transparent disc 3 over the reflector.

Two red bulbs 4 and 5 and two green bulbs 6 and l are provided, these being alternately lit to illuminate the signal successively red and green.

Segmental contact member 8 is secured to supporting member 9 through which the shaft H] of a synchronous motor ll extends. Extending from shaft H] is a rotary contact finger [3 which turns with the shaft 10 and engages the contact member 8.

As shown in Fig. 3 the contact member is cir- 2 cular and comprises a plurality of segments or plates N each spaced or insulated from the other, As the finger I3 is electrically connected by wire L5 to power line t6. Each segment is connected by a lead H to a different fixed contact of a plurality of switches 18.

These switches comprise a plurality of fixed contacts i9 having bridging members 20.

The fixed contacts 19 except the end contacts are shown as double contacts to accommodate adjacent legs of two bridging members 28. The switches are arranged in series-and the red light 4- 1 is connected by wire 22- to power line Band by wire 24 to one end switch. The green light 6-4 iscomiected by wire 21 to power line 23 and by wire 25 to the other end switch.

It will be observed that if all the switches 48 are closed-by means of bridging members there will be a constant flow of current from power line ['6 through wire l5, movable contact 13, various segments 14, and wires H, switch contacts l9, bridges 20, wires 24 and 25, red and green lights 4--4, E- I, wires 2| and 22 to power line 23, thus completing the circuit and illuminating both the red and green light.

However, by opening one of the switches, e. g. by removing the bridging member 20 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 it will be observed that three segments are in circuit with the green light and five are in circuit with the red light so that during the passage of the movable contact finger over the three segments the green light will be lit, while during the passage of the movable contact finger over the other five segments the red light will be lit. The relative period of illumination of the red and green lights can be equalized by breaking the connection in the middle of the light switches so that four segments are connected to each light. It is obvious that by breaking the switches at different desired places various relative periods of illumination may be obtained.

Any desired type of switch may be used. The switches may be mounted at any convenient place. When used to control traffic lights they will be placed in a locked box on a post at a place where they may be readily accessible to a police officer or other oflicial. The wires can easily be extended from the switch box to the signal light wherever it may be located.

It will be observed from the above description that I have devised a simple, inexpensive, and long lasting switch mechanism for varying the relative periods of illumination of signal lights and the like, having no moving parts. It is readily accessible and easy to operate.

It is thought that the construction and use of the invention will be apparent from the above description of the various parts and their purpose. It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described, is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and thatvarious changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention, or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A switch mechanism for signal lights and the like, including two contact members, one of which comprises a plurality of annular segmental plates insulated from one another over which the other contact member is adapted to pass; a

plurality of switches; a lead from one of the contact members to a power line, a lead from each plate on the other contact member to one of the switches; leads from the switches to different signal lights, and leads from the signal lights to said power line, said switches being operable to connect each plate to a selected light.

2. A switch mechanism for signal lights and the like, including two contact members, one of which comprises a plurality of annular segmental plates insulated from one another over which the other contact member is adapted to pass; a plurality of switches; a lead from one of the contact members to a power line, a lead from each plate on the other contact member to one of the switches; leads from the switches to different signal lights, and leads from the signal lights to said power line, said switches being connected in series and the leads from the signal lights being connected at opposite ends of the series, and the lead from each plate being connected to a different switch, whereby by opening one of the switches the plates connected to the switches on one side of the open switch are successively in circuit with one signal light and the plates con- 4 nected to the switches on the other side of the open switch are successively in circuit with another signal light, whereby the respective periods of operation of each signal light may be varied.

3. A switch mechanism for signal lights and the like, including two contact members, one of which comprises a plurality-of annular segmental plates insulated from one another over which the other contact member is adapted to pass; a plurality of switches; a lead from one of the contact members to a power line, a lead from each plate on the other contact member to one of the switches; leads from the switches to difierent signal lights, and leads from the signal lights to said power line, said switches consisting of a plurality of fixed contacts connected in series and a plurality of bridging members for connecting the fixed contacts, the leads from the signal lights being connected at opposite ends of the series and the lead from each plate being connected to a difierent fixed switch contact, whereby when a bridging member is moved to break the connection between two fixed switch contacts the plates connected to the switch contacts on one side of the broken connection are successively in circuitwith one signal light and the plates connected to the switches on the other side of the broken connection are successively in circuit with another signal light, whereby the respective periods of operation of each signal light may be varied.

LOUIS ROSTOKER.

REFERENCES CITED -The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

